Power lift device



' Qct. 26,1943. 'C.W.'MOTT POWER LIFT D'EVICE.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1941 Patented Oct. 26, 1943 POWER LIFTDEVICE Carl W. Mott, La Grange, Ill., assignor to InternationalHarvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application October 25,1941, Serial No. 416,556

6 Claims.

This invention relates to power lift devices and to vertically movingworking tools, such as plow bottoms, directly connected to the tractorfor vertical movement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid-actuatedpower lift device particularw ly adaptable for lifting two-way, rightandlefthand plows connected to the tractor for alternate operation, whereinthe fluid-actuated lift device, after it has performed work for thelifting of either one or both of the plow bottoms to a transportposition, will be automatically relieved of itslifting fluid and willnot need to be evacuated at the time when the plow bottoms are droppedto their working position.

It is another object to provide in an exhaust fluid system, which servesfor lifting implements to their transport position, means forautomatically releasing the exhaust fluid from the fluidactuated deviceat the end of the lifting stroke.

According to the present invention, the control mechanism forfluid-actuated devices, such as disclosed in my pending application,Serial No. 407,559, filed August 20, 1941, has been adapted for use inthe lifting of rightand left-hand Figure 4 is a detail view of thecontrol mechanism for causing diversion of the exhaust fluid fordelivery to the fluid-actuated device; and

Figure 5 is a detail view of the fluid release means and of the guidingplate which permits complete return of the control element upon the samebeing released.

Referring now particularly to Figures ,1 and 2, there is shown a tractorIll having a rear axle structure ll including depending axle housingsI2. Connected to the tractor forwardly of the rear axle structure is adraft bracket i3 to which is pivotally connected, as indicated at I4,the right-hand and left-hand plowing units i5 and [6. Each plowing unitincludes a beam structure which extends rearwardly underneath the rearaxle structure of the tractor to a location in the rear thereof and onthe rear end of which is 'connected a plow bottom. On each of the deplowbottoms connected to a tractor or toolsupporting structure for alternateoperation. The control mechanism has been so altered that fluid is notretained in the fluid-actuated cylinder at the end of its workingstroke. The biasing spring, which retains the control element of thecontrol mechanism against the stop, is allowed to effect a completereturn movement of the control element so that the fluid, instead ofbeing retained in the fluid-actuated device, will be at that timeautomatically released therefrom. Toggle latch devices serve to retainthe plow bottoms in their transport position, and, since the liftingfluid, is released from the fluid-actuated cylinder device at-the timeof lifting, the plow bottoms are freeto be dropped to their plowingposition without being delayed by the lifting fluid.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may behad to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the tractor and of a two-wayplow with lifting mechanism therefor, embodying the features of thepresent invention, connected to "the tractor;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the tractor and ofthe lifting structure car.- ried by the rear axle of the tractor:

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the togglelocking devices for therespective plow bottoms;

pending axle structures I2, at opposite sides of the tractor, there isconnected a vertically extending bracket i1 between which there issupported a transversely extending shaft I8.

Referring particularly to Figure,2, there is shown at the right-handside of the tractor and .pivoted .to the shaft I8 a lifting structurel9.

This lifting structure i9 is connected through the links 20 with theplowing unit l5. At the I opposite side of the tractor and pivoted tothe transverse shaft i8 is a lifting structure 2| which is connected bydepending links 22 with the lefthand plowing unit it. These liftingstructures l9 and 2i will pivot about the shaft i 8 to lift the plowingunits to their transport position and about the pivot point l4 on thedraft structure l3.

Associated with each of the lifting structures l9 and 2| arerespectively toggle latch devices 23 and 24. These latch devices are soconstructed that, as the lifting structure is pivoted to raise theplowing unit to its transport position, the same will be thrown overcenter to effectively retain the lifting structure and place the plowingunit in a locked position. The toggle link device 23 is connected to thelifting structure l9 by means of a sleeve 25 rigidly secured as byv bylinks 30 with the pivot axis 29.

As shown in Figure 3, it will be noted that the right-hand toggle devicehas been thrown over center. Since the left-hand toggle device is ofsimilar construction, the same numbers are used to designate the partsof the same. Also pivoted to the pivot shaft 29 are manually operablearms 3| accessible to the operator and having foot portions 32 adaptedto engage the forward end 28 of the link 21 to throw the same rearwardlyand out of its overcenter position. When this is done, the toggle linkmechanism will be released and the plowing unit is automatically droppedto its working position. The right-hand toggle mechanism will then takethe position of the left-hand toggle mechanism shown in Figure 3. Thelifting structure 2| is similarly connected with the toggle device 24 bymeans of a sleeve 33 and an arm '34. Each lifting structure has a brace35 for connecting together the lateral strap pieces forming a part ofthe lifting structure.

As a means for effecting operation of the lifting structures, there isprovided a bail member 31 pivoted on the shaft l8. This bail memberextends between the lifting structures 19 and 2| so that, as it isrotated about the shaft I8, 11-, will engage with either liftingstructure I9 or 2! or with both to thereby effect pivoting of theplowing units about the bracket structure 13 to thereby effect liftingof the plowing units to their transport position. This bail member 31has a downwardly extending arm 38 to the lower end of which is connecteda fluid-actuated device 39 anchored to the tractor, as at 40, and havinga piston rod 4| adapted for connection with the arm 38. Fluid isdelivered to the forward portion of the fluid device 39 by a hosecoupling 42.

This lifting fluid is diverted from the exhaust outlet means in themanner shown in the abovementioned pending application. The operation ofthis fluid mechanism is controlled by a control rod 43 adapted to bemoved fore and aft. As shown particularly well in Figure 4, it will benoted that to the rod 43 there is connected a spindle valve mechanism 44by means of which fluid coming through a pipe 45 from the exhaust outletmeans 45a of the tractor I is controlled in itsv passage to the hosecoupling 42. As the control rod 43 is pulled rearwardly, a pivoted armstructure 46 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed inFigure 4, to cause rearward movement of a link 41 which serves tooperate a valve 41a in the exhaust outlet means to cause diverting ofthe exhaust fluid to the pipe connection 45. This rearward movement ofthe control rod 43 takes place until a shoulder 48 is latched under apressure release means 49 (see Figure The pressure release means 49includes a diaphragm 58 which, upon receiving fluid pressure from a hosecoupling 5| connected with the valve 44, will cause a plunger 52 tocontact with a rockable arm structure 53 pivoted at 54 to a bracketstructure 55 on a steering post 56 of the tractor. A lost motion springconnection 51 serves to connect the arm structure 45 with the link 41and this spring means 51, taken with a spring .58 connected between thetractor and the arm structure 46, will serve to maintain the shoulderportion 48' against the rockable arm structure 53 of the release means49.

During the normal operation of the fluid-actuated device 39 having thistype of control mechanism, the fluid releasable means 49 will releaseits arm structure 53 from the shoulder 48, and a second shoulder 68 onthe rod 43 would normally engage with the bracket structure 55, therebypermitting the springs 51 and 58 structure 44 with the aid of a spring60a to a position where the fluid would be trapp d within thefluid-actuated device 39 to thereby serve to retain the plowing units intheir transport position. 1

But, where a fluid-actuated device is adapted for operation with atwo-way plow having alternate rightand left-hand plowing units, the useof this lifting fluid to retain the plowing units is not desired. Therespective toggle latch devices are provided for retaining therespective plowing units in their plowing position. Thus, as thefluid-actuated device 39 is operated, the toggle latching devices willbe effected so as to render them serviceable as tive plowing units intheir transport position. With these toggle-latching devices functioningto retain the plowing units in their transport position, there is noneed for the lifting fluid to be retained in the fluid-actuated device39.

This draining of the lifting fluid could be effected upon manuallylifting the shoulder portion 68 out of engagement with the bracket 55through which it extends, but it is preferred to have this doneautomatically upon the fluid cylinder having served its purpose oflifting the plowing units and of locking the toggle latch mechanism.There is, therefore, provided a. guiding plate 6|, through which theportion 60 rides so that it is permitted to pass through a slottedopening 55' ward movement of the rod 43 upon the same being releasedfrom the pressure release means 4 is effected by the springs 51 and 58.Also, this forward movement of the rod 43 will cause operation of thevalve 44 so as to open the fluid passage for the return of fluid fromthe fluid-actuated device by way of the hose coupling 42 and thence tothe valve and to the exhaust outlet means 450., where the same will beexhausted to the atmosphere.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided a power liftdevice with features particularly adapted for the lifting of rightandleft-hand plows, wherein the lifting fluid is exhausted immediatelyafter lifting of the plowing units have been effected, so that, when theplowing units are unlocked for their return to a ground-workingposition, they will not be hindered in their downward movement by thedelayed evacuation of the lifting fluid from the fluidactuated device.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction of thepresent invention, it shall beunderstood that such changes shall bewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a tool-supporting structure, a working tool connectedto the tool-supporting structure for vertical movement, fluid powermeans for lifting the working tool to its transport position andincluding a fluid-actuated device, means for releasably locking theworking tool in its transport position, and means operable responsivelyto the working tool being lifted into its locked transport position toexhaust lifting fluid from the fluid device and thus condition saiddevice so it will not trammel lowering of the tool upon subsequentrelease thereof by the locking means.

2. In combination, a tractor having an exhaust outlet means, a workingtool connected to the tractor for vertical movement, exhaust fluid toreturn the valve power means connected with the exhaust outlet a meansto retain the respecin the bracket 55. This for means to receive exhaustfluid therefrom and including a fluid-actuated device connected with theworking tool to lift the same, separate means for locking the workingtool in its lifted position, and control mechanism operable after thelifting of the working tool to eflect automatically evacuation of thelifting fluid from the fluid-actuated device when the working tool hasbeen-lifted.

3. In combination, a tool-supporting structure, a working tool connectedto the tool-supporting structure for vertical movement, a fluid-actuateddevice for moving the working tool, control mechanism for controllingthe flow of fluid to the fluidactuated device including a valvestructure, a, spring biased control rod for operating the valvestructure, pressure releasable means ,for retaining the control rod inits position for causing flow of fluid, means for normally limiting thereturn movement of the rod after the pressure release means has operatedto effect cessation of the flow of fluid, separate'means for locking theworking tool in its transport position, and means for altering thelimiting means to permit complete return of the control rod to therebyeife'ct automatically evacuation of the lifting fluid from thefluid-actuated device after the working tool has been lifted. i

4. In combination, a tractor, right-hand and left-hand plowing unitsconnected to the tractor for alternate operation, fluid power means forlift- 30 ing either one or both of the plowing units to a transportposition, separate means for locking the plowing units in theirtransport positions, and means operable in timed relation with thelifting of said plowing units for evacuating fluid from 35 the fluidpower means upon the lifting of said units into their locked transportposition, whereby said plowing units may be released from theirtransport position at a later time without atten-, tion to the releaseof the lifting fluid.

5. In combination, a tractor having an exhaust outlet means, right-handand left-hand plowing units connected to the tractor for alternateoperation, exhaust fluid power connected with the exhaust outlet meansto receive exhaust fluid therefrom and including a fluid-actuated device5 for lifting either one or both of the plowing units to a transportposition, separate means for locking each of the plowing units in theirtransport positions, and control mechanism operable after the lifting ofeither or both of the plowing units 10 to their transport positions toeffect automatically evacuation of the lifting fluid from the fluid-amtuated device when the working tool has been lifted, whereby saidplowing units may be released from their transport position ata later 15time without previous releas of the lifting fluid.

6. In combination, a tractor having an exhaust outlet means,'right-handand left-hand plowing units connected to the tractor for alternateoperation, exhaust fluid power means connected with the exhaust outletmeans toreceive exhaust fluid therefrom and including a fluid-actuateddevice for lifting either one or both of the plowing units to atransport position, separate means for locking each of the plowing unitsin their transport positions, control mechanism for controlling the flowof fluid to the fluid-actuated device including a valve structure, aspring biased control rod for operating the valve structure, pressurereleasable means for retaining the control rod in its position forcausing flow of fluid, means for normally limiting the return movementof the rod after the pressure release means has operated to effectcessation of the flow of fluid, and means for altering the limitingmeans to permit complete return of thecontrol rod to thereby effectautomatically evacuation of the exhaust lifting fluid from thefluid-actuated device after the plowing unit or units have been lifted,whereby said plowing units may be released from their 40 transportposition at a later time without previous release of the lifting fluid.

' CARL w.- Mo'rr.

